sorry to revisit this thread, but being that cycling is a huge part of my life, i now have some experience to contribute post op. while im only 2 weeks out, i was actually told by my cardio that typically, he would give most patients exhibiting the type of recovery i have thus far (fortunately, i am recovering very quickly, being young helps) permision to begin cycling. knowing my history as a competitive cyclist, he thinks - and i agree - that i would likely overdue it and we will wait until another month passes before i will begin riding again.
the largest threat to recovery, it seems, comes from falling rather than the position one maintains whilst riding a bicycle. PROPER fit on a bicycle asks very little of your upper body; one ought to hold the bars with only enough force to exhibit steering inputs. instead of having your arms support your body weight, ultimately cyclists should try to have thier CORE support their body weight by rotating their pelvis foward whilst on the saddle, and additionally, by bending one's arms and opening up the one's shoulders (which also opens up one's breathing). this not only takes pressure off of the rider's arms (who wants to ride in a pushup position anyway??), but allows your arms to act as suspension, making riding far more comfortable.
many people disregard this very simple way of making cycling much more comfortable, including a doctor who felt the need - upon hearing that i was a competitice cyclist - to come by my bed while i was still in the hospital to tell me NOT to ride a bike until i was completely healed (12 weeks!!) because of the high level of STRESS/FORCE my riding position would put on my sternum!! needless to say, i didnt enjoy his editorial and made it very clear to my cardiologist - who doesnt share his opinion - that i would be refit to my bicycle before i started riding again (i will, of course, need to ride in a less agressive position for quite a while before i develop my core strength and flexibility again). so thats my .02. enjoy riding.
